Dynamically updating device health scores and weighting factors

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a computer implemented method to adjust device health weighting factors, the method comprising, determine a set of monitored devices including a first monitored device. The method comprises, determining a set of parameters, wherein each parameter is associated with one operating metric of each of the monitored devices. The method comprises, receiving a set of usage data, including a usage history for each parameter. The method further comprises, performing trend analysis on the set of usage data configured to identify a relative influence of each parameter on the set of monitored devices. The method also comprises, generating a set of weighting factors based on the trend analysis, and wherein each parameter in the set of parameters is associated with a weighting factor, and calculating a health score for the first monitored device, wherein the calculation is based on the set of weighting factors.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to monitoring computing devices, and,more specifically, to monitoring the health of a plurality of devices.

Modern computing devices are deployed in a continuously changingparadigm. There are new hardware, software, security threats, standards,etc. being developed, released, and implemented into existing systems.In some instances, the new or updated products can cause a drag onproductivity and/or slow performance of the existing system.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a computer implemented method to adjust device healthweighting factors, the method comprising, determining a set of monitoreddevices, wherein the set of monitored devices includes a first monitoreddevice. The method also includes, determining a set of parameters,wherein each parameter is associated with one operating metric of eachof the set of monitored devices. The method comprises, receiving a setof usage data, wherein the set of usage data includes a usage historyfor said each parameter. The method further comprises, performing trendanalysis on the set of usage data, wherein the trend analysis isconfigured to identify a relative influence of said each parameter onthe set of monitored devices. The method also comprises, generating aset of weighting factors, wherein the weighting factors are based on thetrend analysis, and wherein each parameter in the set of parameters isassociated with a weighting factor in the set of weighting factors, andcalculating a health score for the first monitored device, wherein thecalculation is based on the set of weighting factors. Further aspects ofthe present disclosure are directed to systems and computer programproducts containing functionality consistent with the method describedabove.

The present Summary is not intended to illustrate each aspect of, everyimplementation of, and/or every embodiment of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into,and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative ofcertain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram that illustrates a computing environmentsuitable for operation of device health manager, in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example method to update weighting factors, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method to update weighting factors, inaccordance with some embodiments of the preset disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example device health manager,in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a cloud computing environment, in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts abstraction model layers, in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. The present disclosureis not limited to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary,the disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to monitoring computingdevices, and, more specifically, to monitoring the health of a pluralityof devices. Aspects of the present disclosure may be better appreciatedin light of the aforementioned applications.

Modern computing devices are deployed in a continuously changingparadigm. New hardware, software, security threats, standards, etc. arecontinuously developed, released, and implemented into existing systems.In some instances, the new or updated products can slow performance onsome systems, becoming a detriment to user productivity. This can have asignificant impact on the total cost of ownership. When a single entityowns hundreds or thousands of devices, that cost is compounded.

Embodiments of the present disclosure take into consideration the needto monitor the health of devices to determine when and what changesshould be made, and when/if a device should be replaced. The health of acomputing device is a measure of efficiency and/or productivity.Accurately and objectively monitoring and tracking the health ofcomputing devices can assist in lowering the cost total cost ofownership. For example, if a device is healthy, it can be extendedbeyond the initial replacement date, thereby saving the time and expenseof updating the device. Or, if two devices are nearing their end oflife, but the budget only allows for replacing a single device, thehealthier of the two can be maintained and the less healthy devicereplaced.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a device health manager.The device health manager can monitor and track performance and/orhealth of computing devices.

Embodiments of the present disclosure use device attributes to determinethe health of the device. Typically, each parameter is assigned acoefficient or weighted coefficient in an overall health calculation. Insome embodiments, the weighting factors are driven by manual updates ofstatic values.

Embodiments of the present disclosure categorize the devices based onpermanent physical characteristics (e.g., brand, model number,manufacturer, etc.), updatable/alterable characteristics (e.g.,operating system, graphic card, network card, software versions, etc.)that influence the health (e.g., efficiency, latency, down time,security/vulnerability, etc.) of the device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can perform analytics on thedevices. The analytics can include monitoring and recording historicaldata, especially before and after changes to one or more characteristics(e.g., a software update). The system can then determine a health effecton the device based on the change and apply those findings to futurechanges on the device, or to changes on other devices.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can run trend analytics onhistorical data to find insights into the relative influence of devicemetrics on the health of the device. These insights can be used torecalibrate weighting factors and gather a better representation of thedevice's health compared to static metrics.

The aforementioned advantages are example advantages, and embodimentsexist that can contain all, some, or none of the aforementionedadvantages while remaining within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure.

Referring now to various embodiments of the disclosure in more detail,FIG. 1 is a representation of a computing environment 100, that iscapable of running a device health manager 105, in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure. Many modifications to thedepicted environment may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure as recited by the claims.

Computing environment 100 includes host device 110, network 130,monitored devices 135, and issue log 145. Network 130 can be, forexample, a telecommunications network, a local area network (LAN), awide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, or a combination of thethree, and can include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections.Network 125 may include one or more wired and/or wireless networks thatare capable of receiving and transmitting data, voice, and/or videosignals, including multimedia signals that include voice, data, andvideo information. In general, network 130 may be any combination ofconnections and protocols that will support communications between hostdevice 110, includes host device 110, monitored devices 135, issuereporting system 145, and other computing devices (not shown) withincomputing environment 100.

Host device 110 can be a standalone computing device, a managementserver, a web server, a mobile computing device, or any other electronicdevice or computing system capable of receiving, sending, and processingdata. In other embodiments, host device 110 can represent a servercomputing system utilizing multiple computers as a server system, suchas in a cloud computing environment. In some embodiments, host device110 represents a computing system utilizing clustered computers andcomponents (e.g., database server computers, application servercomputers, etc.) that act as a single pool of seamless resources whenaccessed within computing environment 100. In some embodiments, hostdevice 110 includes device health manager 105, recalibration engine 115,database 150, and rules repository 155.

Recalibration engine 115 can be any combination of hardware and/orsoftware configured to monitor and calculate device health based on thedevice performance. In some embodiments, recalibration engine 115manages the analysis of the data and the health score calculation. Forexample, recalibration engine 115 can perform or direct subcomponents togather, sort, and aggregate relevant data. It can perform the analytics(e.g., regression), update and/or calculate weighting factors.Recalibration engine 115 may determine which parameters to monitorand/or analyze, and send results to database 150 and/or rules repository155. It may also oversee the calculations and enforce the standards inrules repository 155. In some embodiments, recalibration engine 115 caninclude health score module 125, analytics module 120, and dataaggregator 160.

Analytics module 120 can be any combination of hardware and/or softwareconfigured to analyze weight parameters based on operating efficiency ofone or more devices (e.g., monitored devices 135). In some embodiments,analytics module 120 analyzes data related to performance of one or morecomputing devices (e.g., monitored devices 135). In some embodiments,analytics module 120 uses one or more regression models to identify andquantify trends in computing devices.

In some embodiments, analytics module 120 uses trend analysis tocalculate weighting factors. Trend analysis may include utilizing one ormore regression models. Regression is a process used to estimate therelationship among variables. Generally, a dependent variable againstone or more independent variables. In some embodiments, analytics module120 uses one or more of linear regression, simple regression, polynomialregression general linear model, binomial regression, binary regression,nonlinear regression and other models. In various embodiment, analyticsmodule 120 analyzes any one of the parameters, including health, againstone or more different parameters. Then, analytics module 120 combinesmultiple analysis together to create/update weighting factors for eachof the parameters. In some embodiments, analytics module 120 usescurrent weighting factors as a starting point and adjust based on theoutcome. In some embodiments, analytics module 120 creates new weightingfactors. Said different, current/existing weighting factors may or maynot be used as an input to the trend analysis.

In some embodiments, analytics module 120 performs the same or a similaranalysis for each monitored device 135 and/or each set of monitoreddevices 135. In some embodiments, analytics module 120 sends and/orreceives data to analyze from data aggregator 160, database 150, issuelog system 145, monitored devices 135, and/or other locations withincomputing environment 100.

Health score module 125 can be any combination of hardware and/orsoftware configured to calculate health scores. In some embodiments, thescores are calculated based on data produced by analytics module 120,and/or data stored in data aggregator 160, database 150 and/or rulesrepository 155. In various embodiments, health score module 125calculates a health score, determines which parameters to use, and/orapplies rules to the calculation. Health score module 125 can performits various functions in any order.

In some embodiments, health score module 125 determines a set ofparameters. The set of parameters can be those used in the calculation,or the set of parameters that will be analyzed by analytics module 120.The set of parameters can use any number of available parameters and canbe the same or different when applied to multiple monitored devices(e.g. monitored devices 135). The set of parameters can include one ormore of device type, manufacturer, model, operating system, processorutilization (CPU utilization), disk utilization, memory usage, patchupgrades, software installed, card types (e.g. graphic cards, etc.),primary purpose (e.g., server, employee use, etc.), and/or other similarcategories.

In some embodiments, health score module 125 calculates a health score.The calculation can be based on the weighting factors determined byanalytics module 120. In some embodiments, the health score iscalculated as H=x*A+y*B+z*C, where H is an overall health score, x, y,and z, represent weighting factors, and A, B and C represent parameters.In various embodiments, there may be more or less parameters used. Insome embodiments, the equation may be modified based on the results ofanalytics module. Weighting factors can be any numbers, but generallywill be between zero and one. In some embodiments, the sum of allweighting factors adds up to 1 (e.g., x=0.5, y=0.3, and z=0.2). Thisnormalizes the health scores calculated with the weighting factors. Ifan analysis shows parameter A has twice the effect on health thanparameter B, the weighting factor x will be twice as large as weightingfactory. In some embodiments, a weighting factor can be 0. The numbersused for parameters can be instantaneous (e.g., CPU utilization at timeof error) or average utilization (e.g., average CPU utilization over aperiod of time). In some embodiments, each parameter is included in theset of parameters.

Database 150 can be any combination of hardware and/or softwareconfigured to store historical data for device health manager 105.Historical data can include data received from issue log 145, monitoreddevices 235, and/or agents 140. Historical data may also includeprevious results of analytics module 120 and previous/current weightingfactors and health scores for monitored devices 135.

Data aggregator 160 can be any combination of hardware and/or softwareconfigured to organize data into a form where it can be effectivelyanalyzed by analytics module 120. In some embodiments, data aggregator160 retrieves/receives data from database 150, issue log 145, monitoreddevices 135, and/or agents 140.

In some embodiments, data aggregator 160 organizes the data based onparameters. For example, if device health manager 105 instructsrecalibration engine 115 to recalculate weighting factors for alldevices of a specific manufacturer and model, data aggregator 160 cangather and sort all the relevant data, and then send it to analyticsmodule 120 or other subsequent processes.

Rules repository 155 can be any combination of hardware and/or softwareconfigured to store rules to determine how and when recalibration engineperforms its various functions. In some embodiments, the rules in rulesrepository 155 can be manually updated by a user. The rules may indicatewhich parameters should be included in health score calculations. Forexample, one rule can say every health calculation must include CPUutilization with a weighting factor greater than or equal to 0.1. Oranother rule can say that the overall health equation must include atleast three weighting factors greater than 0.05.

In some embodiments, rules repository 155 dictates how often deviceagents 140 and/or issue log 145 send data to device health manager 105.For example, one rule can dictate weighting factors will be recalculatedevery week, and/or after a predetermined amount of issues (e.g., sixsystem crashes, etc.) occur. In some embodiments, rules repository 155includes a user configurable policy. The policy can contain rules abouthigh/low setpoints/thresholds relating to device health, and actions totake if the setpoints/thresholds are passed. One rule may dictaterecalculation upon demand.

In various embodiments, device health manager 105 includes recalibrationengine 115, database 150, and/or rules repository 155.

Monitored devices 135 can be a standalone computing device, a managementserver, a web server, a mobile computing device, or any other electronicdevice or computing system capable of receiving, sending, and processingdata. In some embodiments, monitored devices 135 includes monitoreddevice 135(1), monitored device 135(2), up to monitored device 135(n),where n is an integer, collectively referred to as monitored devices135. In some embodiments, each of monitored devices 135 includes anagent 140.

In some embodiments, each of monitored devices 135 (e.g., monitoreddevice 135 (2)) may be a single device. In some embodiments, each ofmonitored devices 135 includes a plurality of unique devices. In theseembodiments each of the plurality of unique devices have at least oneattribute in common and may have all attributes in common. For example,monitored device 135(4) can be all devices that have the samemanufacturer, model, and operating system. Alternatively, monitoreddevice 135(4) could be all devices that run the same operating system,and/or a single device.

Device agents 140 can be any combination of hardware and/or softwareconfigured to monitor and record usage data of monitored devices 135. Insome embodiments, device agents 140 includes device agent 140(1), deviceagent 140(2), up to device agent 140(n), where n is an integer index,collectively referred to as device agents 140. In some embodiments,agents 140 monitor, record, and/or store activity and patterns on theirassociated monitored devices 135. Agents 140 can continuously monitorand record, or intermittently monitor and record. In some embodiments,agents 140 continuously stream data to device health manager 105. Insome embodiments, agents 140 send batches of aggregated data to devicehealth manager 105.

Issue log system 145 can be one more computing device configured toreceive and record issues from monitored devices 135. An issue can beperformance issues, crashes (e.g., system crash, software crash, cardcrash, etc.), display issues and other similar issues. In someembodiments, reports are sent to issue log 145 automatically. Forexample, each time a crash occurs agent 140(1) will generate and send areport.

In some embodiments, reports are sent to issue log 145 by a user, and/ormanually input. In some embodiments, issue log 145 includes datareceived by a service desk (e.g., Remedy®, ServiceNow®, etc.). In someembodiments, data in issue log 145 is sent through a natural languageprocessor. The natural language processor can analyze the text andextract data usable by device health manager 105. In some embodiments,Watson Natural Language Understanding® is used as the natural languageprocessor.

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of an example method, method 200, of devicehealth manager 105 calculating a health score for a device that can beperformed in computing environment 100. One or more of the advantagesand improvements described above for updating health score weightingparameters can be realized by the method 200, consistent with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

Method 200 can include more or fewer operations than those depicted.Method 200 can include operations in different orders than the orderdepicted. Likewise, the method 200 can include operations that occursimultaneously rather than sequentially. Many modifications to thedepicted method may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Method200 can be implemented by one or more processors, a device healthmanager (e.g., device health manager 105 of FIG. 1), a computing device(e.g., host device 110 of FIG. 1), or a different combination ofhardware and/or software. In various embodiments, the various operationsof method 200 are performed by one or more of device health manager 105,host device 110, recalibration engine 115, health score module 125,analytics module 120, and/or data aggregator 160.

At operation 202, device health manager 105 receives data. In someembodiments, the received data is usage data. In some embodiments, thedata is received from agent 140. In some embodiments, the data isreceived from monitored device 135. The data can be continuouslyreceived, and/or received in batches. A batch can be a set of data forone or more devices that covers a specified period of time (e.g., 1 day,1 week, etc.). Batches allow the data to be transferred over network 130when there is less bandwidth use and/or less CPU demand from the devicesending data.

In some embodiments, the data is received from issue log 145. In theseembodiments, the data can be sent after a specified period of time,after a certain number of logs, and/or any other similar parameters.

In some embodiments, usage data includes usage history for eachparameter. For example, some parameters (e.g., disk utilization) varyduring machine usage. The usage history may include all data, anaverage, and/or a portion of the data. In some embodiments, agents 140record parameters at predefined intervals (e.g., every 3 seconds) and/orcalculate a running average over a predefined period of time (e.g., 3hours).

At operation 204 device health manager 105 determines a set of devicesto analyze. In some embodiments, the set of devices includes one or moreof monitored devices 135. The set of devices can be determined based onone or more rules in rules repository 155. In some embodiments, the setof devices can be all devices with similar characteristics and/orattributes. Each device in the set of devices can have one or moreattributes in common (e.g., all devices that run on a specifiedoperating system, or all devices manufactured by the same company). Theset of devices can be based on a predefined number of issues occurring.For example, if a set of devices of a specific model have five similarissues, the set of devices will be all machines of that model. In someembodiments, the set of devices includes all of monitored devices 135.

At operation 206 device health manager 105 aggregates the data. In someembodiments, the data is aggregated by recalibration engine 115. In someembodiments, the data is aggregated by data aggregator 160. Aggregatingthe data includes filtering out irrelevant data sorting the data that isto be analyzed. In some embodiments, the data is aggregated based on theresults of operation 204. For example, any data that is not relevant tothe set of devices can be filtered out. In some embodiments, aggregatingthe data includes grouping devices with similar characteristics and/orattributes.

At operation 208, device health manager 105 calculates weightingfactors. In some embodiments, the weighting factors are calculated byrecalibration engine 115. In some embodiments, the weighting factors arecalculated by analytics module 120. In some embodiments, the weightingfactors are calculated based on trend analysis. Trend analysis caninclude analyzing the various parameters of monitored devices andcorrelating parameters with performance and/or issues. In someembodiments, the trend analysis uses one or more regression models(e.g., linear regression, polynomial regression, etc.). For example,each time an issue occurs, the current parameters can be recorded. Thenthe analysis can identify issues that are correlated with certainconditions.

At operation 210, device health manager 105 calculates a health score.In some embodiments, the health score is calculated by recalibrationengine 115. In some embodiments, the health score is calculated byhealth score module 125. The health score can be calculated usingH=x*A+y*B+z*C, and/or other similar equations. For example, there can bemore or fewer parameters used in the equation, and the relationships maybe linear or non-linear. In some embodiments, the equation used is basedon the results of operation 208. In some embodiments, the health scoreis calculated by monitored device 135.

In some embodiments, calculating a health score includes determiningwhich set of parameters to include in the calculation. In variousembodiments, the number of parameters used is above minimum, below amaximum, or both. The maximum and minimum used can be stored in rulesrepository 155. In some embodiments, a specific parameter is included inevery equation (e.g., CPU utilization). This can be implemented as arule in rules repository 155.

In some embodiments, the health score is represented by a number between0 and 100. Any score above 75 may indicate a device is in excellenthealth. Any score below 25 may indicate a device is in poor health. Insome embodiments, rules repository includes a value that indicates ahigh threshold and/or a low threshold.

At operation 212, device health manager 105 updates the deviceinformation. In some embodiments, updating device information includesupdating all the information for all devices that were analyzed. Thismay include storing the results of the analysis in database 150. It mayalso include an indication that a subsequent analysis should beperformed or need not be performed. For example, if the health of adevice is declining faster than expected, is approaching a lowthreshold, and/or appears anomalous, additional analysis may beperformed. Additionally, if the health of a device is increasing and/oris declining slower than expected subsequent analysis may be skipped tosave computing resources and/or spend those resources on lower healthmachines.

In some embodiments, updating device information includes changing theend of life determinations for the device. The end of life determinationcan be extended or shortened. In some embodiments, updating deviceinformation includes recommending specific application(s) be updated,installed, and/or removed to increase device health. In someembodiments, updating device information includes repurposing thedevice.

In some embodiments, operation 212 includes providing an alert, based onthe health score. The alert may be provided to a maintenance entity. Thealert may be sent when the health score is above and/or below apredetermined threshold (e.g., setpoint). In various embodiments, thealert can be a visual display (e.g., on a monitor of host device 110),and audio alert, or any other type of alert. The alert may be acted uponautomatically (e.g., by software), or as needed (e.g., when a user viewsthe alert).

In some embodiments, operation 212 includes providing the health scoreto a maintenance system. The maintenance system can be software and/orhuman operated system. The maintenance system may be configured to addand/or remove tasks related to the device from a schedule. For example,if a device is scheduled to be replaced, then the health score is abovea threshold, the task of replacing the device can be removed from themaintenance system schedule.

In some embodiments, device health manager 105 returns to operation 206in response to completing operation 212. In these embodiments, devicehealth manager 105 continuously and/or periodically recalculates/updatesthe weighing factor and/or health scores for the devices. It may act asa continuous feedback loop. Device health manager 105 may include newdata and/or events as it is gathered and aggregated into the existingdata set. This may allow the system to quickly determine when there is achange in the health of one or more devices.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of an example method, method 300, of devicehealth manager 105 altering the end of life of a device based on updatedweighting factors that can be performed in a computing environment 100.One or more of the advantages and improvements described above forupdating health score weighting parameters can be realized by the method300, consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Method 300 can include more or fewer operations than those depicted.Method 300 can include operations in different orders than the orderdepicted. Likewise, the method 300 can include operations that occursimultaneously rather than sequentially. Many modifications to thedepicted method may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Method300 can be implemented by one or more processors, a device healthmanager (e.g., device health manager 105 of FIG. 1), a computing device(e.g., host device 110 of FIG. 1), or a different combination ofhardware and/or software. In various embodiments, the various operationsof method 300 are performed by one or more of device health manager 105,host device 110, recalibration engine 115, health score module 125,analytics module 120, and/or data aggregator 160.

At operation 302, device health manager 105 sets an end of live for adevice. In some embodiments, the device includes a plurality of deviceshaving at least one common parameter. The end of life can be a futuredate (e.g., Mar. 25, 2020), based on total use time (e.g. 10,000 hours),and/or other similar factors. The initial end of life can bepredetermined by the manufacturer, and/or company policy. In someembodiments, the end of life is a set period of time (e.g. 3 years inthe future) defined by rules repository 155. However, the predeterminedperiod may be altered by a user.

At operation 304, device health manager 105 recognizes an issue with thedevice. In some embodiments, the issue is recognized based on datastored in issue log 145 (e.g., user reported). In some embodiments, theissue is recognized by agent 140.

At operation 308, device health manager 105 calculates a health scorefor the device. In various embodiments, operation 308 is consistent withoperations 202 through 210 of FIG. 2. In some embodiments, device healthmanager 105 uses instantaneous data at the time of the issue update theweighting factors. For example, if the issue is a graphics card crash,CPU utilization, disk utilization, and memory utilization at the time ofthe crash can be used in the data set. This will allow determination ofspecific factors that lead to issues and can be incorporated into futureweighting factors.

At operation 310, device health manager 105 determines if the device hasa high health score. A high health score is any score above apredetermined threshold (a high setpoint). In some embodiments, thepredetermined threshold is configurable. It can be unique for eachdevice. For example, monitored device 135(1) can have a high setpoint of75 and monitored device 135(2) can have a high setpoint of 80. Thepredetermined threshold can be based on one or more attributes. Forexample, any devices manufactured by company A may have a high setpointof 70, and any devices manufactured by company B may have a high setpoint of 75. The various threshold may be stored in rules repository155.

If the device has a high health score (310: YES), device health manager105 proceeds to operation 312. If the device does not have a high healthscore (decision tree “NO” branch), device health manager 105 proceeds tooperation 314.

At operation 312, device health manager 105 extends the determineddevice's end of life (e.g., replacement date, or update date). Extendingthe device's end of life can mean the device will not be automaticallyreplaced/retired at that time, but that some other determinations orcalculations may be made. The end of life can be extended based on thehealth score compared against the high setpoint. In some embodiments,extending the end of life includes sending an alert to a maintenanceentity.

Extending the life of a device is one option that may be performed inresponse to having a high health score. In various embodiments,operation 312 includes changing the frequency of analysis, changing theuse of the device, installing (or not installing) a software, etc. Insome embodiments, the end of life is not changed, while other actionsare performed at operation 312.

At operation 314, device health manager 105 determines if the device hasa low health score. A low health score is any score below apredetermined threshold (a low setpoint). In some embodiments,predetermined threshold is configurable. The predetermined threshold canbe unique for each device (or set of devices). For example, monitoreddevice 135(1) can have a low setpoint of 25 and monitored device 135(2)can have a low setpoint of 20. The predetermined threshold can be basedon one or more attributes. For example, any devices manufactured bycompany A may have a low setpoint of 10, and any devices manufactured bycompany B may have a low set point of 15. The various threshold may bestored in rules repository 155.

If the device has a low health score (decision tree “YES” branch),device health manager 105 proceeds to operation 316. If the device doesnot have a low health score (decision tree “NO” branch), device healthmanager 105 proceeds to operation 318.

At operation 316, device health manager 105 reduces the device's end oflife. Reducing the device's end of life can mean the device will bereplaced/retired at a time sooner than the previous end of life. In someembodiments, reducing the end of life includes sending an alert to amaintenance entity. The end of life can be reduced based on the healthscore compared against the low setpoint.

Reducing the life of a device is one option that may be performed inresponse to having a low health score. In various embodiments, operation316 includes changing the frequency of analysis, changing the use of thedevice, installing (or not installing) a software etc. In someembodiments, the end of life is not changed, while other actions areperformed at operation 316.

In some embodiments, the predetermined thresholds (both high setpointsand low setpoints) can be relative to the start of life and/or the endof life of a device. For example, if a device is approaching or past itsinitial end of life, the current health score to replace a device (e.g.low setpoint of 40), may be higher than the original score (e.g. lowsetpoint of 10) required to replace the device.

At operation 318, device health manager 105 stores the results of theanalysis. In some embodiments, operation 318 can be consistent withoperation 212 of FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the results are stored indatabase 150.

At operation 306 device health manager 105 updates weighting factors forthe device. In some embodiments, operation 306 is consistent withoperation 208 and 210 of FIG. 2. In some embodiments, device healthmanager 105 returns to operation 308 in response to completing operation306.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example device health manager400 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Insome embodiments, device health manager 400 can be consistent withdevice health manager 105 of FIG. 1. In some embodiments device healthmanager 400 can perform the methods 200-300 as described in FIGS. 2-3.In some embodiments, device health manager 400 provides instructions forany of the methods 200-300 of FIGS. 2-3 to a client machine such thatthe client machine executes the method, or a portion of the method,based on the instructions provided by the device health manager 400.

The device health manager 400 includes a memory 425, storage 430, aninterconnect (e.g., BUS) 420, one or more CPUs 405 (also referred to asprocessors herein), an I/O device interface 410, I/O devices 412, and anetwork interface 415.

Each CPU 405 retrieves and executes programming instructions stored inthe memory 425 or storage 430. The interconnect 420 is used to movedata, such as programming instructions, between the CPUs 405, I/O deviceinterface 410, storage 430, network interface 415, and memory 425. Theinterconnect 420 can be implemented using one or more busses. The CPUs405 can be a single CPU, multiple CPUs, or a single CPU having multipleprocessing cores in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a CPU 405 canbe a digital signal processor (DSP). In some embodiments, CPU 405 can bea digital signal processor (DSP). In some embodiments, CPU 405 includesone or more 3D integrated circuits (3DICs) (e.g., 3D wafer-levelpackaging (3DWLP), 3D interposer based integration, 3D stacked ICs(3D-SICs), monolithic 3D ICs, 3D heterogeneous integration, 3D system inpackage (3DSiP), and/or package on package (PoP CPU configurations).Memory 425 is generally included to be representative of a nonvolatilememory, such as a hard disk drive, solid state drive (SSD), removablememory cards, optical storage, or flash memory devices. In analternative embodiment, the storage 430 can be replaced by storagearea-network (SAN) deices, the cloud, or other devices connected todevice health manager 400 via the I/O device interface 410 or a network450 via the network interface 415.

In some embodiments, the memory 425 stores instructions 460 andrecalibration engine 462, and the storage 430 stores rules repository432. However, in some embodiments, the instructions 460, recalibrationengine 462, and rules repository 432 are stored partially in memory 425and partially in storage 430, or they are stored entirely in memory 425or entirely in storage 430, or they are accessed over a network 450 viathe network interface 415.

Instructions 460 can be processor-executable instructions for performingany portion of, or all of, any of the methods 200-300 of FIGS. 2-3.

Rules repository 432 can be consistent with rules repository 155 of FIG.1.

Recalibration engine 462 can be consistent with recalibration engine 115of FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the I/O devices 412 include an interface capable ofpresenting information and receiving input. For example, I/O device 412can present information to a user interacting with device health manager400 and receive input from the user.

Device health manager 400 is connected to the network 450 via thenetwork interface 415. Network 450 can comprise a physical, wireless,cellular, or different network.

Embodiments of the present invention can be a system, a method, and/or acomputer program product at any possible technical detail level ofintegration. The computer program product can include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium can be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network can comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention can be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions can executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) can execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instruction can be provided to aprocessor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instruction canalso be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct acomputer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devicesto function in a particular manner, such that the computer readablestorage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an articleof manufacture including instructions which implement aspect of thefunction/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The computer readable program instruction can also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operations steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to someembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or subsetof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks can occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successioncan, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks cansometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

While it is understood that the process software (e.g., any of theinstructions stored in instructions 460 of FIG. 4 and/or any softwareconfigured to perform any subset of the methods described with respectto FIGS. 2-3) can be deployed by manually loading it directly in theclient, server, and proxy computers via loading a storage medium such asa CD, DVD, etc., the process software can also be automatically orsemi-automatically deployed into a computer system by sending theprocess software to a central server or a group of central servers. Theprocess software is then downloaded into the client computers that willexecute the process software. Alternatively, the process software issent directly to the client system via e-mail. The process software isthen either detached to a directory or loaded into a directory byexecuting a set of program instructions that detaches the processsoftware into a directory. Another alternative is to send the processsoftware directly to a directory on the client computer hard drive. Whenthere are proxy servers, the process will select the proxy server code,determine on which computers to place the proxy servers' code, transmitthe proxy server code, and then install the proxy server code on theproxy computer. The process software will be transmitted to the proxyserver, and then it will be stored on the proxy server.

Embodiments of the present invention can also be delivered as part of aservice engagement with a client corporation, nonprofit organization,government entity, internal organizational structure, or the like. Theseembodiments can include configuring a computer system to perform, anddeploying software, hardware, and web services that implement, some orall of the methods described herein. These embodiments can also includeanalyzing the client's operations, creating recommendations responsiveto the analysis, building systems that implement subsets of therecommendations, integrating the systems into existing processes andinfrastructure, metering use of the systems, allocating expenses tousers of the systems, and billing, invoicing (e.g., generating aninvoice), or otherwise receiving payment for use of the systems.

It is to be understood that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g., networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various monitored devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure that includes anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 includes one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 7 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 6, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 5) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 8 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may include applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and device health weighting factor analysis.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:determining a set of monitored devices, wherein the set of monitoreddevices includes a first monitored device; determining a set ofparameters, wherein each parameter is associated with one operatingmetric of each of the set of monitored devices; receiving a set of usagedata, wherein the set of usage data includes a usage history for saideach parameter; performing trend analysis on the set of usage data,wherein the trend analysis is configured to identify a relativeinfluence of said each parameter on the set of monitored devices;generating a set of weighting factors, wherein the weighting factors arebased on the trend analysis, and wherein each parameter in the set ofparameters is associated with a weighting factor in the set of weightingfactors; calculating a health score for the first monitored device,wherein the calculation is based on the set of weighting factors; andsending the health score for the first monitored device to a maintenanceentity.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: continuously monitoring said each parameter, wherein themonitoring is performed by an agent in the first monitored device. 3.The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the set of usagedata is received from an issue log.
 4. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, wherein the method is performed by a device health managerexecuting program instructions, and wherein the program instructions aredownloaded from a remote data processing system.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the set of monitoreddevices is based on a manufacturer, a model, and an operating system. 6.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the set ofparameters comprises processor utilization, memory utilization, and diskutilization.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein thegenerating the set of weighting factors is further based on a currentweighting factor.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 furthercomprising: determining that the health score is above a high setpoint;and extending an end of life date for the first monitored device.
 9. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising: determiningthat the health score is below a low setpoint; and reducing an end oflife date for the first monitored device.
 10. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein the receiving the set of usage data is inresponse to recognizing an issue with the first monitored device.
 11. Asystem comprising: a processor; and a computer-readable storage mediumcommunicatively coupled to the processor and storing programinstructions which, when executed by the processor, are configured tocause the processor to: determine a set of monitored devices, whereinthe set of monitored devices includes a first monitored device;determine a set of parameters, wherein each parameter is associated withone operating metric of each of the set of monitored devices; receive aset of usage data, wherein the set of usage data includes a usagehistory for said each parameter; perform trend analysis on the set ofusage data, wherein the trend analysis is configured to identify arelative influence of said each parameter on the set of monitoreddevices; generate a set of weighting factors, wherein the weightingfactors are based on the trend analysis, and wherein said each parameterin the set of parameters is associated with a weighting factor in theset of weighting factors; calculate a health score for the firstmonitored device, wherein the calculation is based on the set ofweighting factor; and send the health score for the first monitoreddevice to a maintenance entity.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein theprogram instructions are further configured to cause the processor toperform the method further comprising: continuously monitoring said eachparameter, wherein the monitoring is performed by an agent in the firstmonitored device.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the set of usagedata is received from an issue log.
 14. The system of claim 11, whereinthe program instructions are further configured to cause the processorto: determine that the health score is above a high setpoint; and extendan end of life date for the first monitored device.
 15. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the program instructions are further configured tocause the processor to perform operations further comprising: determinethat the health score is below a low setpoint; and reduce an end of lifedate for the first monitored device.
 16. A computer program product, thecomputer program product comprising a computer readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructionsexecutable by a processing unit to cause the processing unit to performa method comprising: determine a set of monitored devices, wherein theset of monitored devices includes a first monitored device; determine aset of parameters, wherein each parameter is associated with oneoperating metric of each of the set of monitored devices; receive a setof usage data, wherein the set of usage data includes a usage historyfor each parameter; perform trend analysis on the set of usage data,wherein the trend analysis is configured to identify a relativeinfluence of each parameter on the set of monitored devices; generate aset of weighting factors, wherein the weighting factors are based on thetrend analysis, and wherein each parameter in the set of parameters isassociated with a weighting factor; calculate a health score for thefirst monitored device, wherein the calculation is based on the set ofweighting factor; and send the health score for the first monitoreddevice to a maintenance entity.
 17. The computer program product ofclaim of claim 16, wherein the program instructions are furtherconfigured to cause the processing unit to perform a method furthercomprising: continuously monitor said each parameter, wherein themonitoring is performed by an agent in the first monitored device. 18.The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the set of usage datais received from an issue log.
 19. The computer program product of claimof claim 16, wherein the program instructions are further configured tocause the processing unit to perform a method further comprising:determine that the health score is above a high setpoint; and extend anend of life date for the first monitored device.
 20. The computerprogram product of claim of claim 16, wherein the program instructionsare further configured to cause the processing unit to perform a methodfurther comprising: determine that the health score is below a lowsetpoint; and reduce an end of life date for the first monitored device.